How to make a coastal grandmother centerpiece

After summer beachcombing, I wanted to make a centerpiece using some pretty finds. This is how to make a coastal grandmother centerpiece.

Every Sunday, I join my friends Cindy and Mary Ann to share our five favorite things of the week. I often share a recipe, an outfit, or a DIY, but today this simple idea turned into the entire five favorite things theme. The centerpiece sort of has this “coastal grandmother” vibe, and then when I started to read a little more about it, I thought I would share some coastal grandmother favorites. Mary Ann’s new living room that she posted on Instagram has that vibe for sure! Check it out here and let me know what you think?!

I’m starting with this simple candelabra from Anthropologie. It’s pretty on its own and easy to use seasonally, as I did at Easter. You can read that post here. Today I’m using it as a casual beachy centerpiece.

What makes this a coastal grandmother centerpiece? It’s simple, nature-inspired, and quite beautiful. Especially the white stones!

What is Coastal Grandmother?

Well, to start, I would say that many people (myself included) consider having the coastal grandmother aesthetic, but maybe we just didn’t have a name for it. Then 27-year-old TikTokker Lex Nicoleta coined the phrase Coastal Grandmother and well…it took off! Lexi says, “If you like Nancy Meyer’s movies, coastal vibes, recipes, and cooking, Ina Garten…you might be a coastal grandmother.”

Olivia Marcus wrote this in StyleCaster – “Essentially, a coastal grandmother is an entire lifestyle inspired by the aesthetic portrayed in Nancy Meyers’ movies. Perhaps you’ve always felt an affinity to Diane Keaton’s character in Something’s Gotta Give or Natasha Richardon’s portrayal of the glamorous mom in The Parent Trap—if so, you may be a coastal grandmother.”

3. Where does a Coastal Grandmother shop?

Home Interiors

The first place that comes to mind is Serena & Lily. I think of Erica Barry’s home in The Hampton’s on Something’s Gotta Give. Very much the esthetic of Serena & Lily. Dare I say, some of the furnishings are starting to look a little dated, though? The movie is from 2003.

Clothing

For clothing, Jenni Kayne definitely. Cashmere sweaters and T-shirts. Can’t you see Erica Barry wrapped up in a Cocoon Cardigan on the beach?

According to Nancy Meyer’s Instagram post, there may have been a little GAP too. I mean, you can’t go wrong with a pair of khakis from GAP and a bucket hat from J.Crew.

3. Coastal Grandmother’s love rattan

You can bet that every coastal Grandmother has at least a few rattan or wicker pieces, if not several. A few favorites include this scalloped handwoven wicker tray, a rattan side cart or bar cart, a pair of chairs indoors or out, a mirror or two, and lighting somewhere in her home might include something like this or this!

4. What does the coastal grandmother wear?

I keep going back to Something’s Gotta Give. Kahki pants, cardigan sweaters, white T-shirts, and a bucket hat. There’s that, but then Diane Keaton’s character also wears a chic white suit, turtlenecks (obviously), and cashmere v-neck sweaters. She’s very chic but low-key at the same time.

5. Stripes

Coastal Grandmothers would always own things with stripes. Everything from a striped beach umbrella, towels, rugs, pillows, bags, and even t-shirts.

Stripes play well with everything, and the one thing about a coastal grandmother is that she likes to keep things simple. All things a coastal grandmother would have in her home and to wear.

Now let’s see what my two favorite coastal Grandmothers found this week!

Classic Casual Home

Cindy Hattersley Design

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